Knife block with integrated sharpener

ABSTRACT

A knife block system for holding and sharpening knives includes a knife block and a knife sharpener assembly. The knife block has a housing and defines a plurality of slots for receiving the knives. The knife sharpener assembly is operatively associated with the housing, and movable relative to the housing, between a closed configuration within the housing and an open configuration extending out of the housing. In the closed configuration, the knife sharpener assembly is fully nested within the housing of the knife block and hidden from view. In the open configuration, the knife sharpener assembly is accessible by a user to sharpen the knives.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 63/267,362, filed Jan. 31, 2022, and titled KNIFE BLOCK WITHINTEGRATED SHARPENER, the entire disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to knife blocks and knife sharpeners, andmore particularly, to knife blocks which hold knives, flatware, andother cutlery, and electric knife sharpeners which sharpen knives.

2. Description of the Related Art

Countertop space in a kitchen is limited, constantly utilized, andintegral to the kitchen's look, feel, and function. As a result,consumers often avoid large, clunky, countertop appliances, or quicklydiscard or relegate them to more distant locations in or outside of thekitchen where they collect dust and are often never used again. However,some kitchen items are fairly ubiquitous despite their large countertopfootprints. Wooden knife blocks, for example, store and maintain highquality knives, flatware, or other cutlery consumers use to preparemeals. A knife block holds knives at an angle relative to the surface ofthe countertop, maintains them separate from one another and otherkitchen surfaces, and generally has an aesthetically pleasingappearance. In short, knife blocks help make a kitchen look and feellike a kitchen, and contribute to the culinary experience.

High quality knives and/or other cutlery stored in knife blocks oftenbecome dull after repeated use and need to be sharpened. Many consumers,including those who regularly cook and prepare meals, have never usedcommercially available knife sharpeners, let alone electric knifesharpeners. While such consumers may want to sharpen their knives, manyare unsure how to use a knife sharpener, may consider it too complicatedor time consuming, and/or are unwilling to purchase another appliancethat will take up additional space on the countertop or shelf spaceanywhere else. Additionally, consumers may be nervous about the knifesharpening process (i.e., figuring out how to set up and mount the knifesharpener, how to hold a knife properly against an electrically poweredgrinding wheel, etc.). This results in more dull knives, which can leadto more kitchen accidents as duller knives require more force to cut. Incity apartments where space is often more limited, consumers may be evenless likely to own this type of additional appliance that would requireadditional figuring out and repeated setup and storage after use. Thus,there is a need in the art for improved knife sharpener systems that aremore accessible, easy to use, less intimidating to consumers, and takeup less space alongside conventional knife block holders.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is not intended to identify or point to essential featuresor limit the scope of the subject matter claimed herein. The presentinvention relates to systems and methods for a knife block with anintegrated electronic sharpener, with at least the following objectives:

To integrate an electric knife sharpener into a knife block with minimalor no increase in the knife block's footprint on a countertop (i.e., akitchen countertop), and while preventing built-in sharpener componentsfrom contacting the knife block's housing or the knives it stores;

To allow for proper heat ventilation of a knife block housing with anintegrated electric powered sharpener;

To minimize sound and vibration during use of the integrated knife-blocksharpener system;

To enable a user to easily manipulate the integrated knife-blocksharpener system to a closed configuration for storing knives and anopen configuration for sharpening the knives;

To ensure user safety and a wiring configuration of the integratedknife-block sharpener system which is long lasting, inconspicuous, andaccommodates translatable movement of the electric knife sharpenerthrough the knife block's housing between the open and closedconfigurations; and

To satisfy a user's ergonomic needs during use of the integratedknife-block sharpener while maintaining a pleasant aesthetic appearancethereof.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a knife block systemfor holding and sharpening one or more knives includes a knife block anda knife sharpener assembly. The knife block has a housing and defines aplurality of slots for receiving the knives. The knife sharpenerassembly is operatively associated with the housing, and movablerelative to the housing between a closed configuration within thehousing and an open configuration extending out of the housing.

In certain embodiments, in the closed configuration, the knife sharpenerassembly is fully nested within the housing of the knife block andhidden from view. In the open configuration, the knife sharpenerassembly is accessible by a user to sharpen the knives. In otherembodiments, the knife sharpener assembly is electric, linearlytranslatable between the open and closed configurations, and includes amotor, an axle, and a grinding wheel mechanically coupled to oneanother. The knife sharper assembly is supported by a movable housingsuch as a carriage which is longitudinally translatable into and out ofthe housing of the knife block.

In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a method ofaccessing a knife sharpener assembly operatively associated with a knifeblock includes moving the knife sharpener assembly relative to the knifeblock from a closed configuration within the housing to an openconfiguration extending out of the housing, with the knife sharpenerassembly biased toward the open configuration. In certain embodiments,the knife block defines an interior region, and moving the knifesharpener assembly includes pressing an end portion of a housingsupporting the knife sharpener assembly toward the interior region, andreleasing (i.e., ceasing to press) the end portion of the housing. Theknife sharpener assembly may be spring biased to translate out of theinterior region following releasing of the end portion of the housing.In yet other embodiments, the knife sharpener assembly is electric andincludes a motor, an axle, and a grinding wheel which are mechanicallycoupled to one another and configured to linearly translate relative tothe knife block.

Other features of the knife block system and methods for use thereof areexplained in greater detail below. The present invention describesnumerous embodiments, features, and variations of the invention, andprovides non-limiting examples of such embodiments, features andvariations. Titles and headers are provided for convenience and ease ofreading. In accordance with such further embodiments of the invention,the below detailed description and claims provide additionallimitations, either in system or process form. It will be appreciatedthat for each system described and claimed, the invention also includesthe methodologies corresponding thereto.

Other objects, advantages, features, and characteristics of the presentinvention, as well as the methods of operation and functions of relatedstructural elements, and the combination of parts and economies ofdevelopment and manufacture, will become readily apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art upon consideration of the detailed descriptionwith reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part ofthis specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of this invention,which is set forth with particularity in the claims as appended or assubsequently amended, but merely to clarify and exemplify the invention.Accordingly, a further understanding and a more complete appreciation ofthe present invention and many of the attendant aspects thereof may bereadily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference tothe following detailed description, when considered in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an integrated knife-block sharpenersystem shown in a closed configuration in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the integrated knife-block sharpenersystem of FIG. 1A, shown in an open configuration;

FIG. 2A is a cutaway perspective view of a casing and an electronicsharpener assembly of the knife-block sharpener system of FIG. 1A, shownin a closed configuration;

FIG. 2B is a cutaway perspective view of the casing and the electronicsharpener assembly of FIG. 2A, shown in an open configuration;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the integrated knife-blocksharpener system of FIG. 1A, shown in an open configuration;

FIG. 4 is an additional bottom perspective view of the integratedknife-block sharpener system of FIG. 1A, shown in an open configurationwith a partially exploded perspective view of the electronic sharpenerassembly;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of the casing and carriagesupporting the sharpener assembly of FIG. 2A, shown in an openconfiguration;

FIG. 6 is a top cut away perspective view of the casing and sharpenerassembly of FIG. 2A, shown in a closed configuration;

FIG. 7 is a top cut away perspective view of the sharpener assembly ofFIG. 2A, shown in a closed configuration;

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of anintegrated knife-block sharpener system in a closed configuration, inaccordance with the invention;

FIG. 8B is a bottom perspective view of the integrated knife-blocksharpener system of FIG. 8A, shown in the closed configuration;

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the casing and sharpener assembly ofFIG. 8A, shown in a closed configuration;

FIG. 10 is a top cut away perspective view of the casing and sharpenerassembly of FIG. 8A, shown in a closed configuration; and

FIG. 11 is a side perspective cut away partially exploded view of thesharpener assembly and casing of the integrated knife-block sharpenersystem of FIG. 8A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specificterminology selected, and it will be understood that each specificelement of all embodiments of the knife-block sharpener systems of theinvention, illustrated in FIGS. 1A-7 and 8A-11 , includes all technicalequivalents which operate in a similar manner. Techniques, methods,systems, and operating structures in accordance with the invention maybe embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may bequite different from those in the disclosed embodiments. Consequently,the specific structural, functional, and step-by-step details disclosedherein are merely representative. The embodiments herein are describedin sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice theembodiments, and it is to be understood that logical, mechanical, andother changes may be made without departing from the scope of theembodiments, and that the description herein is not to be taken in alimiting sense.

Each element in methodologies described herein depict a step or a groupof steps for using an integrated knife-block electric sharpenerassembly. Each step may contain one or more sub-steps. For purposes ofillustration and explanation, these steps, as well as all other stepsidentified and described, are presented in a certain logical order.However, it will be appreciated that any exemplary embodiments describedherein can contain an alternate order of the steps adapted to aparticular application of a technique disclosed, and that any suchvariations and/or modifications are intended to fall within the scope ofthe invention. The depiction and description of steps in any particularorder is not intended to exclude embodiments having the steps in adifferent order, unless required by a particular application, explicitlystated, or otherwise clear from the context.

It will be appreciated that the various embodiments described herein maybe supplemented with and/or engaged by (e.g., communicated with and/oroperated by) a wireless electronic device or an electronic interfacingmobile app on an internet enabled mobile device's operating system, suchas, for example, Android, iOS, or Windows Phone OS, and in part by usinga web interface. Electronic systems described herein may also include astationary or portable computing device which can actuate electricalcomponents, and may comprise various preprogrammed features combined andintegrated with basic components, including but not limited to, one ormore servers, databases, mobile end applications, web portals, networksettings, etc. With the support of these components, the system mayprovide various services and functionalities, such as remote operation,related to the system's use and features through user interfaces such asa website or mobile applications.

As further described below, the knife block with integrated sharpener(also referred to herein as ‘knife block assembly’ and ‘knife-blocksharpener system’) of the present invention is configurable to a closedconfiguration in which the sharpener is hidden from view inside thehousing of the knife block, and an open configuration in which thesharpener is visible and easily accessible by the user. The footprint ofthe knife block assembly of the invention, when placed on a countertopwhile housing both the knives and the electric sharpener, is the same orsubstantially the same as that of a conventional knife block. As alsofurther discussed below, the present invention accomplishes thisminimization of the system's footprint by translating and retracting anelectric sharpener into and out of the knife block's housing. The useris able to switch between open and closed configurations by simplypressing a side panel of the device (i.e., a portion of ahousing/carriage supporting the electric sharpener assembly). This panelis flush with the housing of the knife block in the closedconfiguration.

A spring-loaded translatable inner housing (e.g., a carriage orcartridge) which supports the electric sharpener assembly is nestedinside a casing that is permanently mounted within and/or part of theknife block housing. When the user presses the side panel, a portion ofthe translatable carriage is initially forced further into the knifeblock housing against the bias of a longitudinally extending springattached at respective ends to the knife block housing and thetranslatable carriage. When the user releases (i.e., stops pressing theside panel), the compressed spring then forces a portion of the carriageand knife block assembly out of the knife block housing.

In this manner, the user is able to dislodge a carriage supporting anelectric sharpener assembly from the closed configuration to the openconfiguration, and to lodge it from the open configuration back intoplace in the closed configuration by once again pushing the side panelagainst the bias of the longitudinally extending spring. The carriagemay be held in place by any suitable interlocking stopping mechanism,such as a detent or an interfacing spring loaded latch or ratchetmechanism on or within the housing that stops the carriage from beingpushed out by the spring until it is forcibly translated by the user.

In certain embodiments, a bearing wheel mechanically coupled andlongitudinally fixed to the carriage supports the carriage on andtranslates relative to the countertop surface on which the knife blockassembly is supported. In this manner, the electric sharpener issupported by the bearing wheel while being guided out of the knife blockhousing along the countertop surface to an extended position where it isaccessible by the user, and guided back into the knife block by the useragainst the bias of the spring. The bearing wheel also prevents thecountertop from being scratched by the sharpener carriage as thecarriage translates relative thereto.

In other embodiments, the grinder wheel and/or other components of theelectric sharpener assembly are replaceable by the user in the openconfiguration. A coupling gear transmits torque from an axle of themotor to the grinding wheel of the electronic sharpener during use, andallows for easy removal (e.g., vertically) by the user in tight spaces.In yet other embodiments, the motor axle and an axle of the electronicsharpener may be affixed with a set screw, which also allows for easy(e.g., vertical) removal of one or more sharpener assembly componentsfrom the carriage without removing the motor, and without allowing theuser access to wiring and/or other sensitive parts of the device.

In yet other embodiments, an on/off switch is provided on the side panelof the carriage of the electronic sharpener. The on/off switch is easilyaccessible by the user in both the open and closed configurations, andis translatable with the carriage relative to the housing. Suchplacement of the on/off switch enhances user safety and allows a user toquickly find the on/off switch at any time and in any configuration ofthe device.

The specifics of these features and others of the invention are bestunderstood with reference to the exemplary embodiments of the inventionillustrated by and described with respect to FIGS. 1A-11 .

Housing & Carriage Assemblies

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5 , an integrated knife-block sharpener system100 in accordance with the invention includes a housing 102 defining aplurality of front and rear slots 104, 106 configured to store aplurality of knives and/or other cutlery. Such knives may be, by way ofexample, an eight inch chef knife, slicer knife, and/or bread knife, aseven inch santoku knife, a five and a half inch utility knife, a fourand a half inch serrated steak knife, a three and a half inch paperknife, knives with forged German steel blades, kitchen shears, and othertypes of knives and precision crafted stainless steel cutlery. Housing102 also defines a triangular shaped recess 107 configured to receive acasing 113 which houses an electronic sharpener assembly 109 (FIG. 2A).Housing 102 includes a generally rectangular-shaped front panel 112configured to be rearwardly inclined (e.g., away from a user) relativeto a horizontal countertop surface 10, and a rearward block portion 116defining the front and rear slots 104, 106. As shown, block portion 116defines slots of different sizes and/or angles, and is forwardlyinclined (e.g., toward the user), whereby handles of knives stored inslots 104, 106 extend generally parallel to a rear surface 119 (FIG. 4 )of block portion 116 (i.e., the knives are forwardly inclined toward theuser).

By way of example, in certain embodiments, the angle at which slots 104,106 guide the knives into block portion 116 is approximately thirtydegrees relative to countertop 10 (e.g., sixty degrees relative to avertical orientation). It will be appreciated that this angle may vary,and represents a balance between placing the knives at an angle at whichthey are easy to remove and minimizing the depth of footprint oncountertop 10 by block portion 116. Other angles may be utilized. Blockportion 116 is also stepped into rear and forward portions 116 a, 116 bas shown, and accommodates longer knives inserted into slots 106 in rearportion 116 a.

Front panel 112 and block portion 116 may be integrally formed orseparately mounted together by set screws, brackets, adhesive, or anyother suitable means. Together, front panel 112 and block portion 116 ofhousing 102 define the triangular shaped recess 107 which accommodatescasing 113. As shown in FIG. 1A, integrated knife-block sharpener system100 functions as a standalone device. Electronic sharpener assembly 109may be powered by electrical power routed thereto via wire guide 115(FIG. 2A), and/or battery powered, as further discussed below.

Housing 102 and casing 113 may be separately formed and connected to oneanother in any suitable manner, or integrally formed as a singlehousing. As best shown in FIG. 3 , casing 113 has a triangular crosssection and may be configured to press-fit into triangular shaped recess107 defined by block portion 116 and front panel 112. Casing 113 mayadditionally or alternatively be mounted to housing 102 by screws 117.Housing 102 and/or casing 113 may be formed from any desired material,such as, for example, wood, plastic, plastic polymers, and the like, andin varying sizes and shapes to store and enclose differently shapedknives and electronic sharpener assemblies. In certain embodiments,casing 113 is made from stainless steel or other material which conductsheat generated therein, via wire guard 115, outside of housing 102.

As best shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, casing 113 is generally hollow, andincludes front panel 118 mounted to an inside surface of front panel 112of housing 102 via any suitable means (e.g., screws, brackets,adhesives, and the like), generally triangular-shaped side panels 114 a,114 b detachably coupled to or integrally formed with front panel 112 ofhousing 102, and a rectangular bottom panel 120 equipped with feet 122(FIGS. 3-5 ) configured for placement on countertop surface 10. Thus,when integrated knife-block sharpener system 100 is operatively disposedon countertop 10 as shown in FIG. 1A, feet 122 contact countertop 10,bottom panel 120 of casing 113 is elevated relative to countertop 10,and a base surface 124 of block portion 116 also contacts countertop 10.In other words, bottom surface 124 of block 116 and feet 122 of casing113 rest on countertop 10 to support integrated knife-block sharpenersystem 100. Alternatively, as components described herein may vary insize and configuration, feet 122 may be formed at different heights onvarious bottom surfaces of components of integrated knife-blocksharpener system 100 to ensure that it is level with countertop 10, andthat electric sharpener assembly 109 translates level (i.e., parallel)to countertop 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B, side panel 114 b of casing 113 defines achannel 108 for receiving and allowing longitudinal translation of aportion of a carriage 110 supporting electric sharpener assembly 109into and out of casing 113, and thus, into and out of housing 102. Inthis manner, integrated knife-block sharpener system 100 is configurableto an open configuration (FIG. 1B) in which carriage 110 is extendedoutside of housing 102, and to a closed configuration (FIG. 1A) in whichcarriage 110 and electric sharpener assembly 109 are fully retracted andnested inside casing 113, which is itself permanently nested withinhousing 102.

It will be appreciated that in the closed configuration of FIG. 1A,carriage 110 and electric sharpener assembly 109 are not visible to theuser, and the integrated knife-block sharpener system 100 has theoverall appearance and general footprint of a standard knife block whichcontains no electronic or sharpening devices. By way of example, incertain embodiments, integrated knife-block sharpener system 100 mayhave overall dimensions of approximately 8.0 inches in width, 9.3 inchesin depth, and 8.75 inches in height in the closed configuration, andapproximately 12.75 inches in width, 9.3 inches in depth, and 8.75inches in height in the open configuration. Other dimensions may beutilized.

In addition to this benefit, the rearward tilt of front panel 112 givesa user additional working space above countertop 10. Since aconventional knife block generally has a forward tilt toward the user,its real footprint on a countertop extends beyond the footprint of itsbase. Front panel 112 of housing 102 also supports a name plate 105, andfunctions as sound barrier by blocking/muffling noise from the motor 148of the electric sharpener assembly 109 (further discussed below), whichremains within casing 113 and housing 102 in both the open and closedconfigurations.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that by nesting theremovable carriage 110 containing the electronic sharpener assembly 109adjacent forwardly tilted block 116, a portion of already unusablecountertop space (i.e., the portion of countertop 10 below edge 121 offront panel 112) is effectively and efficiently utilized to support thehidden electric sharpener assembly 109. Furthermore, by accommodatingcarriage 110 and electric sharpener assembly 109 within the footprint ofhousing 102, and allowing for easy translation of carriage 110 into andout of housing 102, any additional countertop space taken up by carriage110 in the open configuration of FIG. 1B is only temporary duringsharpening. Thus, integrated knife-block sharpener system 100 takes upthe same or similar countertop footprint as a conventional knife block,provides a built-in electric sharpener which extends and retracts intoan ergonomically advantageous position with the sharpener fullysupported, and takes up minimal additional space in the openconfiguration.

Power Switch & Wire Guide

As further shown in FIGS. 1A-2B, an on/off switch 126 used to turn onand off electric sharpener assembly 109 is mounted to a proximal end 128of carriage 110. On/off switch 126 is visible and easily accessible inboth the open and closed configurations. As shown, in the closedconfiguration of FIG. 1A, proximal end 128 of carriage 110 is flush withside panel 114 b of casing 113, and effectively becomes part of the sidepanel of the outer housing of the integrated knife-block sharpenersystem 100. More particularly, in the closed configuration, proximal end128 of carriage 110, side panel 114 b of casing 113, and a side surface130 of block portion 116 are preferably flush with one another.

In certain embodiments, inner brackets 129 a, 129 b (FIG. 2A) withincasing 113 may be used to guide mounting of casing 113 to a frontsection of block portion 116 (e.g., via internal sidewalls of blockportion 116 received within or mounted to brackets 129 a, 129 b). In theopen configuration of FIG. 1B, on/off switch 126 has translated withcarriage 110, and is operatively disposed adjacent slots 132, 134 ofelectric sharpener assembly 109 (further discussed below) where knivesare inserted for sharpening.

In this manner, on/off switch 126 is always readily accessible by theuser, easy to find, and located very close to where a user's hands willbe when using integrated knife-block sharpener system 100 in either theopen or closed configurations. In particular, on/off switch 126 isalways operatively disposed at or adjacent where the user's hand will bewhen operating the carriage 110 in the extended or retracted position,and/or when using the electric sharpener assembly 109 in the openconfiguration.

On/off switch 126 is electrically coupled to a power supply routed toelectric sharpener assembly 109 via wires in wire guide 115 (FIGS. 2A-4). Wire guide 115 extends rearwardly from bottom panel 120 of casing113, and has a hollow rectangular tube structure 136 which is open atthe top and defines a channel 138 therethrough (FIGS. 2A, 2B) forreceiving wiring and other circuitry (not shown). Wire guide 115 alsoincludes a laterally extending member 140 oriented perpendicular torectangular tube structure 136. Rectangular tube structure 136 andlaterally extending member 140 of wire guide 115 are received by grooves142 defined in base surface 124 of block portion 116 (FIG. 3 ). Lateralmember 140 is also equipped with feet 122 to further support integratedknife-block sharpener system 100.

It will be appreciated that this elegant wiring design routeswires/cords rearwardly from electric sharpener assembly 109, under thebase of housing 102 of knife block 116, to an exit point 144 at arearmost location of housing 102 (FIG. 3 ), at which housing 102 mayinclude a port where the wires/chords within wire guard 115 can beelectrically coupled to a power source such as a wall socket orcountertop outlet, or to one or more batteries or to a power supplydevice powered by one or more batteries. Wire guide 115 may beconfigured with a cover to protect the wiring and other electricalcomponents therein. Connection of a power source such as an outlet tothe wiring in wire guide 115 may be facilitated by, for example, a powerchord which plugs into a port at exit point 144. The power chord maythus be removable for separate storage if desired.

Conventional knife blocks do not connect to electrical cords or havewiring passing through and exiting them because they do not incorporateor provide electronic appliance functionality. Wire guide 115 of thepresent invention and its mounting within the base of block portion 116prevents tangling of electrical wires on countertop 10, and improvesvisibility by maintaining a clean wireless countertop in front of and onthe sides of knife-block sharpener system 100 in both the open andclosed configurations. In other embodiments, electric sharpener assembly109 may be configured with one or more batteries operatively disposedinside casing 113 or carriage 110, and configured to electrically powermotor 148. Alternatively, as noted above, one or more batteries or apower supply powered by one or more batteries may located outside ofhousing 102, and be configured to electrically couple to wiring in wireguide 115 to power motor 148.

Housing the wiring/cord in tube structure 136, recessed within and atthe bottom of knife block 116, also prevents it from interfering with orbeing cut by the plurality of knives received within housing 102 inslots 104, 106, and thus helps prevent electrical hazards. Rectangulartube structure 136 also thermally and electrically isolates thewiring/cord routed through channel 138, hold the wires in place, andprotects them from entanglement and puncture. Wire guide 115 may also beformed of any suitable material, but if made from metal, mayadditionally function as a thermal conduit through which heat generatedby electric sharpener assembly 109 within casing 113 is conducted out ofhousing 102. As noted above, casing 113 may also be made from metal,such as stainless steel, and thus conduct heat to wire guide 115 and outof housing 102.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, wire guide 115 has a forward end 146 where itattaches to bottom panel 120 of casing 113, and at which awiring/cord/plug may exit and directly couple to electrical componentswithin electric sharpener assembly 109, such as motor 148 via slot 149in carriage 110. Corners 146 a, 146 b of forward end 146 of wire guide115 may be rounded to reduce friction against wires/chords exiting wireguide 115 at end 146, particularly when the wiring at this location ismoved when carriage 110 is moved between the open and closedconfigurations. It will be appreciated that wiring entering slot 149 mayalso translate with carriage 110.

For example, as shown, motor 148 translates with carriage 110 betweenthe open configuration (FIGS. 1B, 2B) and the closed configuration(FIGS. 1A, 2A), but always remains within casing 113. In otherembodiments, motor 148 and wiring which exits wire guide 115 may befixed to bottom panel 120 of casing 113, and motor 148 may be rotatablycoupled to a longitudinally translating shaft which moves with carriage110 within casing 113 for powering electric sharpener assembly 109. Inother words, carriage 110 may be configured such that it slides out ofcasing 113 and housing 102 without moving motor 148 or wiring thereof,which remain static within housing 102. Electric sharpener assembly 109is preferably configured within carriage 110 such that motor 148 remainsfully within casing 113 and housing 102 in both the closed configurationand the open configuration when carriage 110 extends out of housing 102.

Spring & Roller Assembly

Continuing with respect to FIGS. 2B, 4, and 5 , in certain embodiments,bottom panel 120 of casing 113 and a bottom panel 123 (FIG. 4 ) ofcarriage 110 define respective longitudinal slots 150, 160 configured toreceive a longitudinally extending spring 170 (FIG. 4 ). Slot 150 alsofunctions to vent heat generated by motor 148 and other sharpenerassembly components 109 within casing 113. Spring 170 extends from aproximal end 170 a attached to bottom panel 123 of carriage 110,preferably within slot 160, to a distal end 170 b attached to bottompanel 120, preferably within slot 170. Spring 170 may alternatively beattached to different portions of bottom panel 123 or of carriage 110generally at its respective proximal and distal ends 170 a, 170 b.Distal end 170 b of spring is thus longitudinally fixed to casing 113and housing 102, and proximal end 170 a of spring moves longitudinallywith carriage 110.

In certain embodiments, spring 170 is in compression when knife-blocksharpener system 100 is in the closed configuration of FIGS. 1A, 2A.Spring 170 is also preferably in a relaxed state in the openconfiguration of FIGS. 1B, 2B, and when in the closed configuration, isspring biased toward the open configuration of FIGS. 1A, 2A. A detent inbottom panel 120 or a side panel of casing 113 may be configured tointerface with a protrusion from carriage 110 to hold carriage 110 inplace when in the closed configuration. Other conventional fixingmechanism may be utilized in casing 113 to longitudinally fix carriage110 in the closed position of FIGS. 1A and 2A.

Spring 170 thus functions to push a portion of carriage 110 throughchannel 108 and out of casing 113 and housing 102 to the openconfiguration of FIG. 1B when a user dislodges carriage 110 (e.g.,removes it from a detent or other conventional fixing and releasemechanism, such as, for example, a stopper) by distally pressingproximal end 128 of carriage 110. The further compressed spring thenpushes carriage 110 out of housing 102 when the user stops pushingproximal end 128 of carriage. Once system 100 is in the openconfiguration, spring 170 is then preferably in a fully relaxed state sothat it does not pull, retract, or otherwise move carriage 110 whenelectric sharpener assembly 109 is being utilized, but is placed incompression when carriage 110 is pushed by the user back into casing113. In other embodiments, electric sharpener assembly 109 may beconfigured without spring 170 or any bias toward the open configuration.In such embodiments, carriage 110 may be formed with a small handle orother gripping feature which the user can grasp to slide carriage 110 inand out of housing 102. In yet other embodiments, multiple springs maybe utilized, housed within compartments, and/or connect to the distalend of carriage 110 inside casing 113, and to an interior surface ofside panel 114 a.

Referring to FIG. 5 , carriage 110 is also equipped with a roller orbearing wheel 152 and a stopper 154 for guiding, supporting, andlimiting translation of carriage 110 between the open and closedconfigurations. Bearing wheel 152 is longitudinally fixed to carriage110 and configured to roll on countertop 10 and support proximal end 128of carriage 110. When carriage 110 is retracted into casing 113, stopper154 is received within a groove or notch 158 defined by a sidewall ofbottom panel 120 of casing 113 to limit longitudinal translation ofcarriage 110 into housing 102. It will be appreciated that this stoppingmechanism will prevent a user from pressing carriage 110 into housing102 too forcefully, and help protect motor 148 and the rest of electricsharpener assembly 109 from being damaged. Bearing wheel 152 may beconfigured in a number of different shapes and sizes, and adjusted insize or height so that it contacts and rolls on countertop 10 whencarriage 110 is longitudinally translated out of housing 102.

Spring 170 may be mounted such that proximal end 170 a thereof isattached to bottom panel 123 of carriage 110 as described above, amiddle section 170 c thereof passes under notch 158, and distal end 170b attaches to bottom panel 120 of casing 113 at a height closer tocountertop 10 than proximal end 170 a, but still within groove 150 toavoid contact with countertop 10. It will be appreciated that thispositioning of spring 170 in slots 150, 160 of casing 113 and carriage110 will also facilitate easy assembly.

When a user pushes proximal end 128 of carriage 110 in the closedconfiguration, carriage 110 slides distally within housing 102, over thedetent or other stopping mechanism (if provided), thus furthercompressing spring 170. By way of example, a detent 147 a may beprovided on carriage 110 configured to receive a metal spring loadedball bearing 147 b (FIG. 2B). In certain embodiments, spring loaded ballbearing 147 b may be mounted to a wall in support bracket 129 b, extendthrough and protrude from the opposite side of the wall (hidden), and bereceived by detent 147 a in carriage 110. When the user pushes proximalend 128 of carriage 110 in the closed configuration of FIGS. 1A, 2A,carriage 110 may move slightly (i.e., an eighth of an inch or more)distally, popping spring loaded ball bearing 147 b out of detent 147 a,further compressing spring 170.

Spring 170 is further compressed, and thus pushes with greater force,and when the user releases (i.e., stops pressing proximal end 128 ofcarriage 110), spring 170 and the momentum of carriage 110 forces nowproximally moving carriage 110 to overcome resistance from potentialreengagement of detent and ball bearing (147 a, 147 b) and out of thehousing 102 to the open configuration of FIGS. 1B, 2B. Carriage 110 maythen be slowly pushed back inside casing 133 by the user. Stopper 154prevents the user from pushing carriage 110 back into housing 102 toofirmly, thereby protecting motor 148 and other components of sharpenerassembly 109. Once in housing 102, detent and ball bearing 147 a, 147 breengage and hold carriage 110 in housing despite the distal force ofcompressed spring 170. Other stopping mechanisms, interference fitengagements, latches, etc. may be utilized. In this manner, the user cansimply push on proximal end 128 side of carriage 110 when it is flushwith housing 102 to pop out carriage 110 with electric sharpenerassembly 109, and then press on/off switch 126 (further discussed below)to turn on electric sharpener assembly 109.

Modular Electric Sharpener Assembly

Referring now to FIGS. 6-7 , electronic sharpener assembly 109 is housedwithin casing 113, and includes motor 148 mechanically coupled, viacoupling gears 162 a, 162 b and bearings 168, to a first pair ofgrinding/cutting wheels 164 a, 164 b and a second pair ofgrinding/cutting wheels 166 a, 166 b. Each respective pair ofcutting/grinding wheels (164 a, 164 b), (166 a, 166 b) is used tosharpen respective left and right sides of a knife at a differentcutting/abrasion levels (e.g., gradations) depending on the blade typeof the knife and/or level of sharpening needed. Diamond grinding wheelsmay be utilized.

As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, rounded sharpener sections 171, 173respectively cover each pair of cutting wheels (164 a, 164 b), (166 a,166 b). Sharpener sections 171, 173 may be formed from any suitablematerial, such as plastic with a stainless-steel outer facia. Sharpenersections 171, 173 define slots (171 a, 171 b), (173 a, 173 b) onopposite sides thereof for receiving a knife and guiding it to cuttingwheels (164 a, 164 b), (166 a, 166 b) at a proper angle. A user cansimply pull the blade of a knife through one of the guided slots (171 a,171 b), (173 a, 173 b) to sharpen the blade. In certain embodiments, theangle at which slots (171 a, 171 b), (173 a, 173 b) guide the knives forsharpening is approximately 20 degrees. Other angles may be utilized.

Thus, electronic sharpener assembly 109 provides a four-slot designwhich gives a user two different options for a sharpening level at whichhe or she may sharpen both sides of a knife. For example, one pair ofthe slots (i.e., 171 a, 171 b) may sharpen opposite sides of a knife toone sharpening level, and slots 173 a, 173 b may be configured tosharpen opposite sides of a knife to another level. One of the pair ofslots may be configured to more fine-tuning of the sharpening than theother pair (i.e., to take off less material). For example, one pair ofthe slots may be for sharpening and the other for honing. By aligningmotor 148 and sharpener axle 172 in carriage 110 and moving/translatingthem in the same direction as the axis of the sharpener, motor 148 isable to run more efficiently while producing less noise. Bearings 169further help minimize sound and vibration. A thermoplastic rubberpad/gasket may also be provided for additional noise reduction.

Coupling gears 162 a, 162 b interface axially to one another along amale/female connective interface 163 which axially transfers torque frommotor 148 to the axle upon which the cutting wheels (164 a, 164 b), (166a, 166 b) are mounted. Coupling gears 162 a, 162 b also allow thevarious components of electronic sharpener assembly 109 to be moreeasily decoupled from motor 148. By way of example, if the cover ofcarriage 110 is removed, coupling gear 162 b can simply be liftedvertically along with other components without axially separating themfrom motor 148. In other words, while electronic sharpener assembly 109is axially translatable, the components thereof may be axially fixedrelative to one another in carriage 110 by virtue of being axiallyadjacent one another, but separable from motor 148 by lifting themvertically (i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the axle) sincerotational coupling is achieved by rotative interference of couplinggears 162 a, 162 b during rotation thereof, not by axially fixing themto one another.

In certain embodiments, a cover of electronic sharpener assembly 109 maybe divided into two parts, with one side covering motor 148 andpermanently fixed in place such that it cannot be removed by a user, anda separate removable covering which exposes a sharpening region 176. Ifa consumer desires to replace sharpening/cutting wheels 164 a, 164 b,166 a, 166 b once they become dull, he or she can simply pop outcarriage 110 in the manner described above, remove the removable portionof the cover from casing 113, and remove/install various bearings,axles, sharpening wheels, hubs, etc.

As shown in FIG. 7 , one or more magnets 174 may be provided insidecarriage 110 for attracting/collecting metal burs, shavings, and thelike inside carriage 109 when knives are sharpened. When the userremoves the removable portion of the cover, any metal dust that hasaccumulated in carriage 110 during sharpening may be wiped off of magnet174 and removed. The electronic sharpener assembly 109 of knife-blocksharpener system 100 may additionally or alternatively utilize variouscomponents, knife guides, angular ranges, motorized components, and thelike of conventional electronic knife sharpeners in conjunction with thevarious system embodiments and methodologies described herein. Examplesof such conventional electronic knife sharpeners are disclosed in, forexample, U.S. Pat. No. 10,814,451, filed Mar. 13, 2018 and titled‘Powered sharpener with controlled deflection of flexible abrasivemember’; U.S. Pat. No. 9,656,372, filed Jan. 11, 2016 and titled‘Sharpener for thick knives’; U.S. Pat. No. 9,168,627, filed Mar. 11,2011 and titled ‘Knife sharpener for Asian and European/Americanknives’; U.S. Pat. No. 7,854,650, filed Jan. 24, 2007 and titled ‘KnifeSharpener’; U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2010/0099338, filed Dec. 25, 2009 andtitled ‘Knife Sharpener’; and U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2009/0209177, filedJul. 9, 2007 and titled ‘Knife Sharpener’, which patents and patentpublications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-11 , an alternative integrated knife-blocksharpener system 200 in accordance with the invention is similar tointegrated knife-block sharpener system 100, except that system 200provides a two-slot design which utilizes a single pair ofcutting/grinding wheels, and is thus more simplified. All components andfunctionalities described above with respect to system 100 may beapplied to system 200.

By way of example, system 200 includes a housing 202 defining aplurality of front and rear slots 204, 206 configured to store aplurality of knives 203, and a triangular shaped recess 207 configuredto receive a casing 213 which houses an electronic sharpener assembly209 (FIG. 10 ). Knives 203 may similarly be placed in slots 104, 106 ofsystem 100. Housing 202 similarly includes a generallyrectangular-shaped front panel 212 configured to be rearwardly inclined(e.g., away from a user) relative to a horizontal countertop surface210, and a rearward block portion 216 defining the front and rear slots204, 206. Casing 213 houses an electronic sharpener assembly 209 (FIG.10 ) in a carriage 210 which is similarly longitudinally translatableout of housing 202 through channel 208 via a spring and roller/bearingwheel 252 assembly as described above. An on/off switch 226 is alsoprovided which is accessible in open and closed configurations.

As shown in FIGS. 9-10 , casing 213 similarly includes wire guard 215,but is smaller than casing 113 because electronic sharpener assembly 209contains a single pair of grinding/cutting wheels 264 a, 264 b. Moreparticularly, electronic sharpener assembly 209 is housed within casing213, and includes a 264 248 mechanically coupled, via coupling gears 262a, 262 b to grinding/cutting wheels 264 a, 264 b, which are used tosharpen respective left and right sides of a knife at a particularcutting/abrasion level/gradation. A single rounded sharpener section 271(FIG. 9 ) is provided which covers cutting wheels 264 a, 264 b.Sharpener section 271 defines slots 271 a, 271 b on opposite sidesthereof for receiving a knife and guiding it to cutting wheels 264 a,264 b at a proper angle. Thus, electronic sharpener assembly 209provides a two-slot design for sharpening a knife. In certainembodiments, alternative integrated knife-block sharpener system 200 mayhave overall dimensions of approximately 6.5 inches in width, 9.3 inchesin depth, and 8.75 inches in height in the closed configuration, and9.375″ in width, 9.3″ in depth, and 8.75 inches in height in the openconfiguration.

Referring to FIG. 11 , in certain embodiments, electronic sharpenerassembly 209 may further comprise a detachable center piece 273 withsharpener section 271 for allowing cleaning and/or access to varioussharpener components for servicing. In certain embodiments, electronicsharpener assembly 209 may further include a set screw 275 for holdingcoupling gears 262 a, 262 b together. These components may alternativelyor additionally applied to integrated knife-block sharpener system 100.

The present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the specificterminology selected, and it will be understood that each specificelement referenced includes all technical equivalents which operate in asimilar manner. However, techniques, methods, systems, and operatingstructures in accordance with the invention may be embodied in a widevariety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different fromthose in the disclosed embodiments. Consequently, the specificstructural, functional and step-by-step details disclosed herein aremerely representative. The embodiments herein are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice theembodiments, and it is to be understood that logical, mechanical, andother changes may be made without departing from the scope of theembodiments. The detailed description disclosed herein is therefore notto be taken in a limiting sense.

It will be understood that the above-described embodiments andarrangements are merely illustrative of the many possible specificembodiments which represent applications of the present invention, andthat numerous and varied other arrangements and configurations can bereadily devised without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention and equivalents thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A knife block system for holding and sharpeningone or more knives, the knife block system comprising: a knife blockhaving a housing and defining a plurality of slots for receiving the oneor more knives; and a knife sharpener assembly operatively associatedwith the housing, and movable relative to the housing, between a closedconfiguration within the housing and an open configuration extending outof the housing.
 2. The knife block system of claim 1, wherein in theclosed configuration, the knife sharpener assembly is fully nestedwithin the housing of the knife block and hidden from view, and in theopen configuration, the knife sharpener assembly is accessible by a userto sharpen the one or more knives.
 3. The knife block system of claim 1,wherein the knife sharpener assembly is electric, and includes a motor,an axle, and a grinding wheel mechanically coupled to one another. 4.The knife block system of claim 3, wherein the knife sharpener assemblyis linearly translatable between the open and closed configurations. 5.The knife block system of claim 3, further comprising: a carriagesupporting the knife sharpener assembly, wherein the housing of theknife block defines a channel for receiving and allowing longitudinaltranslation of a portion of the carriage supporting the knife sharpenerassembly into and out of the housing.
 6. The knife block system of claim5, further comprising: a spring mechanically coupled to the carriage andbiasing the carriage toward the open configuration.
 7. The knife blocksystem of claim 6, wherein the spring includes a distal endlongitudinally fixed to the housing, and a proximal end longitudinallymovable with the carriage.
 8. The knife block system of claim 5, whereinthe carriage has a proximal end and a distal end, and in the closedconfiguration, the distal end is disposed inside the housing and theproximal end is flush with the housing.
 9. The knife block system ofclaim 8, wherein the knife sharpener assembly includes an on/off switchoperatively disposed on the proximal end of the carriage and accessibleby the user in both the open and closed configurations.
 10. The knifeblock system of claim 5, wherein the housing of the knife block includesa forwardly leaning rear block portion defining the plurality of slots,and a rearwardly leaning front panel mechanically coupled to theforwardly leaning rear block portion, and wherein the carriage isoperatively disposed between the forwardly leaning rear block portionand the rearwardly leaning front panel.
 11. The knife block system ofclaim 5, wherein the knife sharpener assembly includes a pair ofcoupling gears rotatably coupled to one another along an interface, andconfigured to transfer torque from the motor to the grinding wheel viathe axle, wherein the motor, the pair of coupling gears, and thegrinding wheel are linearly offset from one another along the axle,operatively disposed in the carriage, and linearly translate with thecarriage.
 12. The knife block system of claim 11, wherein in the openconfiguration, the grinding wheel is operatively disposed outside of thehousing and the motor is operatively disposed inside the housing. 13.The knife block system of claim 11, wherein the motor, the pair ofcoupling gears, and the grinding wheel are axially fixed relative to oneanother in the carriage during axial translation of carriage, andwherein the pair of coupling gears and the grinding wheel are removablefrom the carriage in a direction perpendicular to the axle.
 14. Theknife block system of claim 3, further comprising: a wire guide defininga channel configured to receive wiring from a power source to power themotor, wherein the housing includes a bottom surface defining groovesconfigured to receive the wire guide such that the wiring from the powersource is recessed within the knife block.
 15. The knife block system ofclaim 14, wherein the power source is one of a wall outlet or at leastone battery.
 16. The knife block system of claim 1, wherein the knifeblock system is configured for placement on a countertop surface, theknife sharpener assembly includes a bearing wheel mechanically coupledand longitudinally fixed to the carriage and configured to support thecarriage on, and to translate relative to, the countertop surface.
 17. Amethod of accessing a knife sharpener assembly operatively associatedwith a knife block, the method comprising: moving the knife sharpenerassembly relative to the knife block from a closed configuration withinthe housing to an open configuration extending out of the housing,wherein the knife sharpener is biased toward the open configuration. 18.The of claim 17, wherein the knife block defines an interior region, andmoving the knife sharpener assembly includes pressing an end portion ofa housing which supports the knife sharpener assembly toward theinterior region.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein moving the knifesharper assembly further includes releasing the end portion of thehousing, wherein the knife sharpener assembly is spring biased totranslate out of the interior region following the releasing.
 20. Themethod of claim 17, wherein the knife sharpener assembly is electric andincludes a motor, an axle, and a grinding wheel which are mechanicallycoupled to one another and configured to linearly translate relative tothe knife block.